"Come over here and see the bear-pit," said the guide. I obeyed with alacrity, and, leaning over the rail, had the pleasure of seeing the most beautiful bruin my eyes had ever rested upon. She was as glossy as a new silk hat; her eyes were as soft and timid as those of a frightened deer, and, when she moved, she was the perfection of grace. [Illustration: CALLISTO] "Good-morning, Callisto," said my guide. "Same to you, my dear Cephalus," the bear returned, in a sweet feminine voice that entranced me. "How are things with you to-day?" asked Cephalus, with a kindly smile. "Oh, I can't growl," laughed Callisto--it was evident that the unfortunate woman was not taking her misfortune too seriously. "Only I wish you'd tell people who come here that while I undoubtedly am a bear, I have not yet lost my womanly taste, and I don't want to be fed all the time on buns. If anybody asks you what you think I'd like, tell them that an occasional _omelette soufflee_, or an oyster pate, or a platter of _petits fours_ would please me greatly." "I shall do it, Callisto," said the keeper, as he started to move away. "Meanwhile, here's a stick of chewing-gum for you." Callisto received it with a manifestation of delight which moved me greatly, and I bethought myself of the magic properties of my coat, and plunging my hand into its capacious pockets, I found there an oyster pate that made my mouth water, and an _omelette soufflee_ that looked as if it had been made by a Parisian milliner, it was so dainty. "If madam will permit me," said I, with a bow to Callisto. "Thank you kindly," the bear replied, in that same thrillingly sweet voice, and dancing with joy. "You are a dear, good man, and if you ever have an enemy, let me know and I'll hug him to death." As we again turned to go, Cephalus laughed. "Queer case that!" he said. "You'd have thought Juno would let up on that poor woman, but she doesn't for a little bit." "Well--a jealous woman, my dear Cephalus--" "True," said he. "That's all true enough, but, great Heavens, man, Juno ought to be used to it by this time with a husband like Jupiter. She's overstocked this Zoo a dozen times already with her jealous freaks, and Jupiter hasn't reformed once. What good does it do?" "Doesn't she ever let 'em off?" I asked. "Doesn't Callisto ever have a Sunday out, for instance?" "Yes, but always as a bear, and the poor creature doesn't dare take her chance with the other wild beasts--the real ones. She's just as afraid of bears as she ever was, and if she sees a plain, every-day cow coming towards her, she runs shrieking back to her pit again." "Poor Callisto," said I. "And Actaeon? How about him?" "He's here--but he's a holy terror," replied Cephalus, shaking his head. "He gets loose once in a while, and then everybody has to look out for himself, and frankly," Cephalus added, his voice sinking to a whisper, "I don't blame him. Diana treated him horribly."